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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Experts say Saraya al-Mujahideen is just Iraqi tribals |
| 2004-04-17 |
| The captors who released three Japanese hostages in Iraq on Thursday could be members of the powerful al-Delemi tribe with a strong sense of attachment to religious leaders -- but not Islamic extremists or part of the al-Qaeda network, experts in Middle Eastern affairs believe. The Islamic Clerics Association, which called for the release of all foreign civilian hostages soon after the incident surfaced and later asked the captors, who call themselves Saraya al-Mujahideen (Mujahideen Brigades), to keep their promise to free the Japanese, apparently played an important role in resolving the issue. The association's influence has been significant in resolving other hostage-taking incidents in Iraq, such as the recent release of seven Chinese hostages. While opposed to the occupation of Iraq by U.S. forces, the association listened to calls from Japan for help. A cleric of the association said, "I hope that the three will convey (to the world) the sufferings of Fallujah residents." A senior official of the Foreign Ministry said, "Our calls that the three of them were working for the sake of the Iraqi people and our approaching all kinds of organizations in Iraq did the job." The experts believe that if it is true that the captors released the three as a result of a call by the Islamic Clerics Association, it is likely the captors are local residents who have strong "blood ties" with the tribe. They said that if the kidnappers had been Islamic extremists, they would not have easily released their foreign captives unharmed. Al-Qaeda, which has criticized Iraqi clerics as being moderates, would not have listened to the religious leaders' call, the experts said. The al-Delemi tribe, with a population of over 1 million, is the largest among Sunni Muslims and is based in the province of Anbar, where the major cities of Fallujah and Ramadi are located. The experts said the tribe had not been completely subservient to the rule of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, but the United States said the region is one that is pro-Saddam. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #2 Islamic Clerics Association So that's the type of trade groups that exist in Iraq? Any regular olde vanilla-type trade groups out there? Just hit me kinda funny..... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-04-17 5:46:39 PM |
| #1 They said that if the kidnappers had been Islamic extremists, they would not have easily released their foreign captives unharmed. Considering that the hostages were probably fakes to begin with - why should we believe any of this BS? Anyone? |
| Posted by: B 2004-04-17 9:00:01 AM |